A. Oliver Thornton (Augustus Oliver) was an African American member of the St. Louis, Missouri chapter of the Improved Benevolent, Protective Order of Elks of the World (IBPOEW).

Scope and Content Note

The collection contains papers of A. Oliver Thornton from 1922-1967. The papers mostly concern the activities of the Improved Benevolent, Protective Order of Elks of the World (IBPOEW) and include photographs, printed material, a small amount of correspondence, and a scrapbook of newspaper clippings and programs of events, mostly taking place in St. Louis, Missouri. A number of photographs, clippings, and other material in this collection relates to J. Finley Wilson, a national leader in the IBPOEW.